The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF), multi-cultural partner for SMART™ Student Health, is pleased to announce that Aramark (NYSE:ARMK), a global leader in food, facilities management and uniforms, has joined Legacy Funder, CVS Health, and SMART™ architect, Ginn Group Consulting (GGC), to support development of SMART™ Student Health and Wellness Centers in K–12 schools across the country.

SMART™, which stands for School Health Model for Academics Reaching All and Transforming Lives, is a solution dedicated to improving individual student and school academic outcomes by proactively delivering Active Access to physical and behavioral health care interventions within K–12 schools. It possesses a five-year track record of uniquely outstanding reach, results and impacts. Currently, there are SMART™ Centers in several schools in Chicago and rural Alabama, with plans to expand to other cities over the next 5 years.

"We are so grateful to have another industry leader help advance student health and education," said Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO, HHF. "Aramark's generous grant will allow us to build the infrastructure to maintain fidelity to the model, scale, expand and replicate SMART™ Centers across the country, and ultimately help break the cycle of poverty by supporting educators and eliminating or reducing the barriers to student success."

"We are proud to join this powerful coalition, led by CVS Health and Ginn Group Consulting, that is making a significant, long-term impact on the health, well-being and academic achievement of young people," said Eric J. Foss, Aramark's Chairman, President and CEO. "As part of our mission to enrich and nourish lives, we focus on initiatives that advance health and wellness, and strengthen local communities. The SMART™ model is a truly innovative solution with impressive, holistic outcomes for schools, students and communities."

SMART™ was developed in Chicago in 2013 and recently marked 5 years of successful operation at its flagship site. Heartland was recruited in 2016 to serve as the medical provider partner. The flagship site has routinely reached 98% of the student population, increasing attendance by 3-4%, and improving the school's academic metrics and rating, at lower operational costs than traditional models. The data collected from this nationally-recognized model has been shared in Washington, D.C. to members of Congress as a best practice innovation by Dr. Liza Cariaga-Lo, Vice President for Academic Development, Diversity and Inclusion at Brown University, (as a Formative Evaluation). Ginn recently presented to The Republican Task Force on Hispanic Affairs, founded and led by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT).

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation promotes cultural pride, accomplishment, and the great promise of the community through public awareness campaigns seen by millions. HHF is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles with satellite workspaces in New York, Silicon Valley, San Antonio, and Miami (Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org). Follow HHF on Facebook and Twitter.

Ginn Group Consulting (GGC), led by President and CEO Melanie Ginn, is a nationally recognized design management firm with a proven track record in delivering exceptional outcomes and incisive analysis for clients. GGC brings objective and insightful perspective and expertise to review, research, develop, and deliver advanced business and legal analysis, strategies, and solutions. Learn more at www.ginngroupconsulting.com.

Aramark (NYSE:ARMK) proudly serves Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, state-of-the-art healthcare providers, the world's leading educational institutions, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world. Our 270,000 team members deliver experiences that enrich and nourish millions of lives every day through innovative services in food, facilities management and uniforms. We operate our business with social responsibility, focusing on initiatives that support our diverse workforce, advance consumer health and wellness, protect our environment, and strengthen our communities. Aramark is recognized as one of the World's Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE, as well as an employer of choice by the Human Rights Campaign and DiversityInc. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.